Base for christmas trees



Sept. 15, 1959 J. F. HARBES EIAL BASE FOR CHRISTMAS TREES Filed Sept.10, 1956 INVENTORS. dob/1 F. #arfiz; Robert 4, 51d? United States Patentf" This invention relates to a base or stand for a Christmas tree andconstitutes a continuation-in-partof our copending application SerialNo. 498,982, filed April 4; 1955.

It is the primary object of the instant invention to improve upon thedisclosure of said application by the provision of a base or stand thatis adapted to support the trunk of the tree within a container of water,yet not be attached to such pan in any manner.

The most important object of the present invention is to provide a treestand that incorporates the novel feature of our copending applicationwith respect to holding the severed end of the trunk of the tree tightlyagainst a base, yet adaptable as aforementioned for partial insertionwithin a pan of water that advantageously does not form a part of thestand itself.

Another important object of the instant invention is to provide aChristmas tree stand that is adaptable for supporting trees of varioussizes and particularly of varying trunk diameters through the provisionof an expansible clamp adapted to be attached to the said trunk insurrounding relationship thereto.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide a support for atree that incorporates turnbuckles or other take-up means as disclosedin our copending application but in a more advantageous manner to drawthe trunk of the tree downwardly toward a base within the pan of water,thereby holding the trunk properly centered and against lateral movementor any kind of slippage.

A still further object of the instant invention has to do with the wayin which a portion of the stand is looped over the uppermost edge of thewater pan presenting a depressed portion for receiving the trunk of thetree that is attached to the stand through use of take-up meansinterconnecting the said clamp with that part of the structure whichbridges the pan as just above mentioned.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a base for Christmas trees madepursuant to our present invention; and

Fig. 2 is a vertical, cross-sectional view illustrating the manner ofattachment of a tree trunk to the support.

As is clear in the drawing, the stand forming the subject matter of theinstant invention is adapted to be associated with an open-top,water-receiving pan or similar receptacle 10, provided with an uppermostedge 12 and over which a plurality of substantially V-shaped bridgingelements 14 are looped when the pan 10 is associated with the stand.Each element 14 includes, therefore, a leg 16 that extends radially atan angle upwardly and inwardly from an annular ring .18. The lowermostterminal ends of the legs 16 are rigidly attached to the ring 18 and itis seen that the latter surrounds the pan 10 when the ring 18 and thepan 10 are in the relative positions shown in the drawing.

Each element 14 includes also an elongated arm 20 integral withcorresponding legs .16 and extending downwardly and inwardly at an anglefrom the point of juncture 22 between the legs 16 and the arms 20. Theelements 14 are further interconnected at said points of Patented Sept.15, 1959 juncture 22 by a second annular ring 24 of a lesser diameterthan the ring 18, disposed directly above the edge 12 'ofpan'lfl andrigidly attached to the elements 14 at the zones of juncture 22. It isnoted that the elements 14 arelooped over the ring 24 and, therefore,over the edge 12 ofpan when the latter is employed.

The'innermost and lowermost terminal ends 26 of the arms, 21) arepreferably bent horizontally and are interconnected by a base 28 whichmay be in the nature of a circular'plate overlyin'gthe terminal ends 26of the arms 20.' Thus, there is presented. a depressed portion withinthe pan 10'having an elevated base 28 for supporting the severed end 30of trunk 32 of a Christmas tree 'or the like. An upwardly extending,centrally disposed pin 34 may beprovided on the base 28 for piercing theend 30 of trunk 32 if desired, or the base 28lsimply provided with anopening adapted to receive a nail or other fastener to be driven intothe end 30 of trunk 32.

An expansible clamp 36 adapted for attachment to the trunk 32 above thering 24, includes a plurality of arcuate segments or sections 38 eachprovided with a pair of outturned, radial cars 40.

One ear 40 of each segment 38 respectively, receives a rotatableclamping fixture which may be in the nature of an eyebolt 42 providedwith a shoulder 44. The other ear of each segment 38 respectively, isprovided with a tapped opening for receiving the threaded end of theproximal bolt 42. It is seen, therefore, that the clamp 36 is adapted toreceive trunks 32 of varying diameters and that the said clamp 36 may berigidly attached to the trunk 32 simply by manipulating the bolts 42.

The clamp 36 is operably connected with the elements .14 through themedium of a plurality of take-up devices, preferably in the nature ofturnbuckles 46. A turnbuckle 46 is provided for each segment 38respectively and the lowermost ends thereof are provided with eyes 48that receive the ring 24. The uppermost ends of the turnbuckles 46 arerigidly or otherwise suitably attached directly to their correspondingclamp segments 38.

It is seen, therefore, that it is a simple matter to place the trunk 32on the piercing pin 34 or on the base 28, and thereupon place the clamp-36 on the trunk 32 in surrounding relationship thereto. Beforetightening the clamp 36, the iturnbuckles 46 should be loosened andthereupon each of the bolts 42 is manipulated to draw the segments 38tightly against the tree trunk 32. With the clamp 36 firmly in place,the turnbuckles 46 may be manipulated to draw the trunk 32 downwardlytoward the base 28 into tight engagement therewith. If the piercing pin34 is employed, such drawing action on the part of the turnbuckles 46will cause the pin 34 to pierce the severed end 30 of trunk 32 as theend 30 moves toward the base 28.

It is manifest from the above also, that the attitude of the tree may beadjusted for balance and proper upright positioning by varying degreesof tightening of the turnbuckles 46 Whether or not the trunk 32 isstraight and uniform.

The stand may, of course, be employed in total absence of the pan 10 ifdesired. However, it is but necessary to tip the tree and the standattached thereto in order to insert the pan 10 beneath the ring 24 asshown in the drawing, or lift the tree and the stand to place the samein position above the pan 10, all as may be desired. In any event, thepan 10 is adapted to hold a relatively large amount of water and it isdisposed for ready access when Water is to be added from time to time.

It is apparent also that the stand is of such nature as to facilitatethe provision of a decorative base. The rings 18 and 24, the turnbuckles46 and the legs 16 are all conveniently adaptable to receive decorativematerial which may be easily attached thereto and opened slightlyemployed and, therefore, the purchaser of the stand may use anyavailable kitchen utensil for such purpose.

A tree supponted by the stand above described is not easily tipped overand attention is specifically called to the unique way in which thetrunk 32 is forced downwardly into the depressed portion of the stand asan upward pull is exerted on the ring 24 by the action of turnbuckles46.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

A Christmas tree stand comprising a horizontal support; a plurality ofsubstantially V-shaped elements each including a leg rigidly attached tosaid support and extending upwardly and inwardly at an angle therefromand an arm integral with the leg and extending downwardly and inwardlyat an angle therefrom; a horizontal ring rigidly attached to saidelements at the juncture between the legs and the arms; a flat baseplate rigidly attached to the lowermost and innermost ends of the arms,said base plate being disposed within a horizontal plane parallel withand spaced between the plane of said support and the plane of said ring;an expansible clamp adapted for attachment to the tree trunk above theting; and turnbuckles interconnecting the ring and the clamp for drawingthe end of the trunk into tight engagement with said base plate, each ofsaid turnbuckles having one end thereof rigidly attached to said clampand the opposite end thereof provided with an eye loosely encircling thering for movement with respect thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS578,012 Harris Mar. 2, 1897 868,942 Reid Oct. 22, 1907 1,923,794 NolandAug. 22, 1933 20 2,260,932 Chulick et a l. Oct. 28, 1941 2,634,070Aguettaz Apr. 7, 1953

